The first intense trailer for Denzel Washington's 'Fences' could land the film a spot in the Oscar race

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Fences

Paramount Pictures

Denzel Washington in "Fences."

The Academy might have a lot to thank Denzel Washington for.

The actor directed and starred in a movie adaptation of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Fences," which will likely decrease the chances of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy from happening for a third straight year.

"Fences" is one of Wilson's classics that examines the African American experience by following the Maxsons, a black family in 1950s Pittsburgh. Troy (Washington) is a former star baseball player who now works as a garbageman and struggles to provide for his family. 

Washington won a Tony Award for his performance of the lead role in the 2010 Tony Award-winning revival of the play. He performed opposite Viola Davis, who played Troy's wife Rose and also won a Tony for her performance. Davis reprises her role in Washington's film adaptation.

"Fences" is likely to garner a lot of attention for offering black actors a chance to break into the award races, and Wilson's work stands the test of time.

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The film is set to be released nationwide on Christmas.

Watch the full trailer:

Watch a clip of Davis and Washington's performance in the 2010 Broadway revival:

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